Kick Off Compost Awareness Week: Boost Your Garden and Combat Climate Change Today!

The constant rain over the last two months has made gardening tricky. But you can still compost, no matter the weather!

This week kicks off International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), running from May 4 to 10. The theme this year highlights how composting can help fight climate change.

As extreme weather events like floods and wildfires become more common, composting offers a simple solution to reduce their impact. Compost helps by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and aiding plants in absorbing carbon dioxide, making our ecosystems stronger against climate challenges.

Chris Rochfort, CEO of the Centre for Organic Research & Education (CORE), emphasizes, “We can all help our planet by keeping food scraps out of landfills. Composting at home or through local collection services is one approach.”

Composting helps the environment in several key ways:

• Reduces landfill waste: Organic matter in landfills breaks down without air, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.
• Improves soil health: Compost enhances drainage, improves aeration, and gives nutrients to the soil.
• Retains moisture: It helps keep soil hydrated, which can protect plants from diseases and pests.
• Mitigates heat: In urban areas, compost can help lower temperatures, combating the heat island effect.
• Boosts climate resilience: Healthy soil is more resistant to drought and heavy weather.

Rochfort notes, “Composting returns nutrients to the soil, promoting plant health and biodiversity. By recycling food and garden waste, we can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions and enhance our environment’s resilience.”

Compost isn’t just a trendy solution; it’s essential. It addresses challenges like soil moisture loss and runoff pollution, while also supporting plant growth and improving carbon storage. Plus, it can save you money on fertilizers and water.

While composting may not be the first thing that comes to mind in the battle against climate change, it’s an easy step every household can take to reduce waste and emissions.

ICAW encourages Australians to share the benefits of composting within their communities. For the last 20 years, CORE has led this initiative in Australia, raising awareness and helping reduce organic waste. By composting, we can improve soil biodiversity and become more resilient to extreme weather.

For more resources, check out the EPA’s guide to composting.

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